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Split Iraq to solve the crisis

When a country is deeply and fundamentally divided, the answer is to divide it up: Iraq.

The Herald's editorial says the way to solve the problems in Iraq is for everyone to get along together (‘‘Unity government the only hope for Iraq’’, June 17). That’s like saying the way for everyone to be richer is for them to have more money. When a country is deeply and fundamentally divided, the answer is to divide it up. It worked with the old Yugoslavia, didn't it?

There are just simply too many countries that were created by old colonial powers putting a boundary around what they conquered. In some cases this enclosed two or more religious or ethnic tribes who hate each other and will never get on, and in other cases divided tribes between two countries. Look around the world and you can't not see, unless you refuse to, it's the cause of so many wars. Multiculturalism is a great idea. But the best way to make it work is not artificial borders that force people to be governed by other people with fundamentally different beliefs.

Gordon Drennan Burton (SA)

Your editorial highlights the ineptitude of the Western powers when dividing up the Middle East after the defeat of the Sunni-run Ottoman Empire in World War I.

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In the carve-up, France took Syria and Lebanon, and Britain’s gains included Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Winston Churchill was then head of Britain’s Colonial Office and was well aware of the gulf between the Sunnis and the Shiites but ignored them and took no notice of tribal boundaries. He then compounded the problems by importing a Sunni from outside Iraq to rule a country that was two-thirds Shiite. The Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds could each have had their own nation and, almost a century later, your editorial refers to the belief that a series of ethno-nationalistic states will have to come, sooner rather than later.

Churchill and George Bush are an unlikely couple, but both made a major contribution to the present debacle in Iraq. On the local scene, it’s no surprise that Alexander Downer and John Howard have recently been silent about the merits of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which has resulted in more than 150,000 casualties and cost Australian taxpayers more than $5 billion.

James Moore Kingsgrove

When there was trouble in Gotham City, the bat sign would alert the Caped Crusader to solve the problem. With the deadly debacle that Iraq has become, the call must go out to the Man of Steel. But, where is he ?

Joe Weller Lewisham

It’s absurd of Bert Candy to attempt to put some flickering light into that sporadically spluttering flame which suggests that George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard should be lined up at The Hague to be tried for “war crimes”. The absurdity comes from the wonderfully smug position of hindsight. Does Candy, or others, truly believe that three men of good character conspired, apparently pursuing perceived military grandeur, to plunge the West into an ultimately disastrous war, where many thousands would die.

Or is it more reasonable to imagine that in the wake of September 11, 2001, and the Bali bombings, with the fear of terrorism enough to dry the throat, and with a conviction that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction, they pulled the levers of war with the best possible intentions?

Rosemary O’Brien Georges Hall

Peter Oborne has put much of the current crisis in the Middle East into proper historical context (‘‘Iraq, Syria, Iran and the new world disorder’’, smh.com.au, June 13). For a start, an apology to Iran would be in order. Iran was begging for American help in 1956 when it was trying to establish a democracy. Instead, the CIA orchestrated the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq and plunged Iran into decades of misery under the Shah. The continuing ridiculous demonisation of Iran by the West only exacerbates the tension.

An apology, or an appropriate diplomatic gesture, to Iran may put American and Iranian relations on a proper, or at least more sensible, footing and these two great nations could together contribute to stabilising both Syria and Iraq.

Terence Golding Bolwarra

Ever wondered what happened to Saddam's old Republican Guard interrogators and torturers? They and their sons are the new Sunni terrorists. They never could get over the fact they lost their jobs as Saddam's executioners.

Alice Khatchigian Ermington

We'll have to wait and see what happens to Halliburton’s share price before we'll know for sure whether another invasion of Iraq is on the cards.

Paul Miles Gorokan

Much to learn about China, as influence, not threat

I must question Peter Hartcher’s lessons about the situation in Iraq (‘‘Four lessons to heed before acting in Iraq’’, June 17). His first, not to upset a stable situation, is undoubtedly correct. This happened in Iraq under American leadership and the consequences are playing out even now. And yet he suggests that China’s “ever-increasing assertiveness” is a problem for which the world should be looking to US leadership.

America’s leadership in resolving global issues has proved at least questionable if not disastrous – consider Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

I see no evidence of China as a global threat to world peace – unless the US decides to interfere and to pursue its policy of “containment” against it.

China isemerging as a super power. It is achieving unheard-of economic growth. It is the engine on which Australia and the rest of the world rely for our own economic wellbeing.

China is stable. It is powerful. It does and will flex its muscles in its neighbourhood and will expect the world’s major powers to accept and respect its position as a major power. It can and will resolve its local and regional issues, without US intervention.

In what way can it be suggested that China is “emerging as a major source of instability” – and even if it is, what is Hartcher's solution? To ignore the major international institutions like the UN and ASEAN and look to American leadership to intervene? What exactly is Hartcher suggesting America should do?

Mike Lyons North Bondi

Abbott, Hockey could learn from NSW Libs

Two Liberal leaders and their treasurers: one pair delivers a budget stripping funding from the sick, the elderly and the unemployed while leaving the majority of tax breaks only the wealthy can access untouched; the other pair uses their budget to increase funding to the disabled, the homeless and children at risk ("NSW state budget 2014: $1b 'to help those in need'", smh.com.au, June 17). Are they really all members of the same party? Mike Baird and Andrew Constance seem to understand that there is no point to an economy without a healthy, safe and caring society. Perhaps there is a lesson in this for Abbott and Hockey.

Cath Henshall Bungonia

Talks needed on dam

The Needles Gap dam is a nightmare from the 1970s ("Fears new dam will flood rare cave system", June 17). Why is it being inflicted upon us today without discussion and with a cost-benefit analysis minus the costs?

I was introduced to geology as a member of the Orange Speleological Society in the Cliefden and Walli area, and I regard it as being of world heritage significance, not only because of the caves but also because of the ecology associated with the river. That the government has decided it is not worthy reflects on its willingness to place profits before losses, no matter what the latter may involve.

The limited benefits of a very small and shallow dam (with all the attendant problems) across this area are vastly outweighed by the geology and ecology that would be lost. There has to be major public discussion of this proposal before work is started.

Nationals MP John Cobb does not need this wholesale destruction of an ecological and geological gem in order to serve his constituents.

John Garretty Kelso

Better recognition

How fantastic that our men’s hockey team won gold in the World Cup at the weekend and that our women’s team won silver ("Kookaburras on top of world for third time", June 17). How sad that the print coverage in the Herald for the men’s achievement was seven paragraphs buried on page 41 and the women’s was even less, and buried deeper. It's sad also that the print report said the women had to "settle for silver" when they were ranked fourth going into the tournament and are now ranked second in the world.

The result for both our Kookaburras and our Hockeyroos was outstanding, and deserved a better deal in the Herald, regardless of the other world cup.

By signing exclusive distribution deals, such as those with Foxtel, and thus prohibiting very inexpensive distributors from accessing those markets, you are simply asking people to find ways to access the content in other ways.

It’s time George Brandis addressed the real problem. We live in a global market but Australian law allows people such as Rupert Murdoch to limit our access to it. You want to legislate? Fix that problem first. He’s not even an Australian citizen any more.

Gary Bigelow Oatlands

Many broken promises

Aren’t we lucky to have an organisation such as the Institute of Public Affairs ("Scorn for state Liberals over opposition to race-hate laws", June 17). It is concerned the Abbott government may break an election promise if it fails to water down the Racial Discrimination Act. I must have been asleep when the IPA voiced its concerns over the government’s other broken promises – no new taxes, changes to Medicare or cuts to the ABC.

Simon Squires Hornsby

Coca-Cola misleads

Coca-Cola’s claim there is no Coca-Cola direct marketing to children is as misleading as the company’s advertising (Letters, Saturday). Of course Coca-Cola knows children around the world are massively exposed to its promotions. For example, the soccer World Cup is drowning in Coca-Cola sponsorship and promotions that will appeal to children. In addition to direct advertisements, there is the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, the Coca-Cola World Cup campaign song (The World is Ours), the World Cup Coke Zone, the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Cup ranking, and the Coca-Cola Happiness Flag - along with the many other promotions through which Coke generously brings us happiness.

Australian kids can also enjoy other Coca-Cola promotions, such as the Fanta Flavour Lab ("Play Andy's Flavour Rush on Facebook now, and mix up your own flavour"). A simple Google search shows that Coca-Cola is a sponsor of AFL, NRL and Cricket Australia.

Mike Daube Professor of Health Policy, Curtin University

Make the big guys pay

So, some Liberal backbenchers are unhappy with the proposed paid parental leave ("Senators threaten to rebel on debt levy vote", June 17.) Any measure that might induce a multinational corporation to pay a bit more tax might not be all bad.

Gerard English Waverton

Palmer to face attack

I agree with the points made by both Michael Healy and Mary Grocott (Letters, June 17) about Clive Palmer’s opinion article. It’s a shame the Trade Practices Act doesn’t cover collusion between major political parties. I fear we’re about to witness a co-ordinated attack on the Palmer United Party of Hansonesque proportions.

Alan Cook Merewether

Programme fine for opera but not for me

Program is English, from the Greek programma and has been in use in England since the early 17th century (Letters, June 17). Programme is French, from the same root and first turned up in the Old Dart in the early 19th century, when some opera playbills were imported to London from Paris. The opera-goers of the time thought this frightfully posh.

I will start using programme if ever the telegramme comes back.

John Tuckfield Abbotsford

It's a chain reaction

The fundamental problem is that too many cyclists treat pedestrians the same way as too many motorists treat cyclists (Letters, June 17).